Willie Mack III wins historic Michigan Amateur

It was a historic result for a historic event on a historic venue.

All the stars aligned for the 100th Michigan Amateur at The Heather course at Boyne Highlands Resort.

From the first tee shot of the final round it was Willie Mack III’s day. With precision drives and savvy putts Mack defeated defending champion and hometown favorite Joey Garber (Petoskey/University of Michigan) 4 & 3 to become the first African American to win the Michigan Amateur title.

“I didn’t really think about this history aspect of it when I was out there,” said Mack, 22, who plans to turn professional later this year. “I just wanted to come out and play and see how far I could get in the tournament. But to be the first African American to win in the 100th year of the tournament is really special.”

Mack won his semi-final over Matt Thompson (Battle Creek/University of Michigan) 1-up in a match where Mack was 5-up at the turn. He hit some errant shots on the back nine which caused him to consult his swing coach Bill Baldwin between the semi-final and final matches. Baldwin, who is the PGA professional at The Jewel of Grand Blanc, knew just what Mack needed to help him soar in the final round.

“I called Bill and he gave me a little drill and I went out on the range and did it before the final and it worked,” said Mack. “I told myself to just keep grinding and to take it one shot at a time and it worked out.”

Mack has been on a tear recently. Mack, a former Flint Central High School and Grand Blanc High School golfer who played at Bethune-Cookman University, has won four college tournaments and the West Michigan Amateur this season.

Garber also defeated his semi-final opponent, Eric Lilleboe (Okemos) 1-up but in the final round sprayed some tee shots into the woods and rough and left himself with some long and difficult putts. Garber was clearly frustrated with his play, particularly after the turn, and was disappointed not to play better in front of the large gallery that was, for the most part, rooting for him.

“I know how good Willie is but I also know how good I am and I didn’t play nearly as well as I can today,” said Garber, 19. “It’s no fun to lose like this but Willie beat me and he played well so there just isn’t much to say about it.”

Mack had birdies on 10 and 11 which really turned the match in his favor. Although he played his practice round at Boyne Highlands Resort – The Heather with Garber, he had no qualms about going for the kill in the final match against his fellow golfer.

“We’re all friends but you have to keep grinding and beat them down,” said Mack. “I know Joey was getting mad out there, but I just got hold of the par 5s today and that really made the difference.”

The diminutive Mack stands 5-foot-6 and weighs just 148 pounds, but he packs a punch with his driver. He averages between 295 and 300 yards with it and hit his 5-wood 265 yards on the back nine in the final.

“I’m just real happy,” said Mack, who expressed a sense of pride in coming from the Flint Junior Golf program and adding to a rich tradition of golf in the Flint area. “It’s been a long week and I can’t wai
t to get home to Flint and share this with everyone there.”

Two University of Michigan golfers finish 1-2 in stroke play at Michigan Amateur

HARBOR SPRINGS – University of Michigan golfer Matt Thompson (Battle Creek) edged teammate and defending champion Joey Garber (Petoskey) for medalist honors at the 100th Michigan Amateur.

Thompson shot 71-69—140 while Garber was just one stroke behind him with 71-70 – 141 on The Heather course at Boyne Highlands Resort.

Thompson has played in the Michigan Amateur for the past three years and lost in the final to Tom Werkmeister (Kentwood) at Spring Meadows in 2009. At the start of the tournament, Thompson’s goal was just to make it to match play but after shooting a one-under-par 71 in the first round of stroke play he raised the bar.

“After seeing what I shot in the first round I had to set a different goal and keep myself motivated,” said Thompson after his round on Wednesday. “So I went out today with the goal of being the medalist. I was one over at the turn but I made a couple of long putts on the back nine which really helped me.”

Presentation of the trophy was delayed until Thursday morning due to a long rain delay on Wednesday that left nine golfers having to finish their rounds. Thompson is a psychology major at U-M but said all of his knowledge didn’t really help him on the links at Boyne Highlands Resort – The Heather this week.

“I didn’t really have a class for golf psychology,” quipped Thompson. “Hopefully I can use something I’ve learned this week.”

Thompson acknowledges there is much golf to be played this week but admits it is a great feeling to have won medalist honors for stroke play.

“Hopefully this isn’t a situation like the President’s Trophy in hockey,” said Thompson. “It was a good feeling to achieve my goal. I ran into Joey (Garber) last night and he said he missed a short putt on nine that put him at 70, one stroke behind me. When I heard that, I thought I might have won.”

There was a playoff between eight players at 154 who battled for the last six spots in the field of 64 for match play. Nathan Clark (Charlotte) Brian Donohoe (Rochester Hills), Matt Johnson (Lansing) Lucas Trierweller (Plainwell), Lyle Wolberg (Huntington Woods), and Bill Zylstra (Dearborn Heights) all advanced to match play.

Gary McCord's antics kicks off the 100th Michigan Amateur at Boyne Highlands Resort

When it comes to first-class golf organizations in Michigan, the Golf Association of Michigan and Boyne USA Resorts come immediately to mind.
Putting the two together is pure magic.

Today kicked off the 100th edition of The Michigan Amateur at The Heather course at Boyne Highlands Resort in Harbor Springs. This is a special week for the GAM. And Boyne, Michigan’s largest course operator, rolled out the red carpet for the affair. Monday was a great day for all to kick off the week.

Gary McCord, the sharp-tongued CBS announcer, did a clinic in the afternoon and was the special guest speaker at a spectacular Champions Dinner later that evening. While players were preparing with practice rounds on The Heather, a special outing was held on the Arthur Hills course. I hadn’t played the Hills in at least 3-4 years, so I couldn’t remember how good of a course it really was. It’s as fun as any in northern Michigan.

The green surrounds are tricky. Some are shaved. Others are carpeted with thick rough. Most greens are table-top, elevated plateaus that are hard to hit. The elevated 13th tee – which crashes downhill – might be the most scenic in the state. Check it out below.



True to form, McCord did more talking than hitting shots at his clinic after golf. He dove into a lot of heavy swing theory without taking too many swings himself. McCord – more famous for his mouth and his mustache than his game – went 22 years on the PGA Tour without a single win. Most people know him more as the announcer who was booted from The Masters for life than his handful of Champions Tour wins. He knows where his bread is buttered.

After the golf clinic, McCord and defending champion Joey Garber, a Petoskey High product fresh off an NCAA appearance with the University of Michigan golf team, held an intimate press conference. Garber mentioned that he's hitting his irons better than ever and doesn't feel pressure to defend. He's happy to be able to play in front of so many family and friends this week.

Then McCord held court on all topics, ranging from Rory McIlroy’s historic U.S. Open win to Tiger’s troubles. McCord wouldn’t touch the subject of Tiger too indepth because he repeatedly noted that “Tiger is keeping track” of all those who criticize or doubt him.

As only Boyne can, the Champions Dinner was a classy reception of several hundred people. Everybody was dressed up in jackets, and ties and the food was excellent. WJR’s Steve Courtney was a riot as the emcee. As soon as he got up on stage, he pulled out his wireless phone and said “Did anybody just get a text from former Senator Weiner?’

The gloves were off at that point. After guests met the past champions in attendance and had dinner, McCord knocked them dead with his tales of the “muni” where he grew up in southern California. His risqué stories of illegal aliens, uzis, bookies, gambling, a stay in jail and general debauchery with his friends named “Fairway Louie” and “20/20” (a blind guy) were off the hook. He ended the night with a story that he said “couldn’t leave the room.” I won’t break the code of brotherhood McCord made us swear by, but it involves David Feherty and ashes. You can take it from there.

Today the tournament kicked off with a ceremony that included Michigan Am. Legends Bud Stevens, Glenn Johnson and Peter Green this morning. After two days of stroke play, the tournament turns to match play to decide the champion on Saturday (weather permitting). Whatever happens this week on the course (see the iconic 18th hole below), it is sure to be a special one for the players and fans who attend. Another celebration like this probably won’t be held for another century.

To follow the action, visit gam.org, or to take a bite out of The Heather yourself after the tournament, check out boyne.com.